The Night Before, The Night Before Christmas Casserole

Today we're sharing a super easy Bavarian version of the breakfast casserole. We used to call this the Night Before Christmas Casserole. We have updated the name for several reasons to add the 2nd night before. This name change may or may not have been driven by too many libations at our yearly friends and family Christmas Eve gathering. Their secrets are safe with us, but they know who they are. 

Ingredients
8 Slices Day Old Bread
4 Eggs
2 ¾ cups Milk - divided 
2 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 12oz Pack Bavarian Smoked Cured Bratwurst or Smoked Cheddar Sausage
A sprinkle of Onion Salt - we know, we know! What do Grandma's mean by these words? Sprinkle, Pinch, a pat, a handful?  
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup - full fat, no added flavor - I mean who's foolin' who here. It's the holidays, not the time to save your calories by grabbing the low-fat version. 

Directions
In a 13 x 9 buttered pan, in this order layer:
8 slices day old bread 
4 beaten eggs beaten with 2 1/4 cups of milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Slices of smoked bratwurst or the smoked cheddar bratwurst 
A sprinkle of onion salt
Cover and chill over a night or two

Before baking, mix together:
1 Can regular full-fat mushroom soup with no added flavor
½ cup of milk
Pour over casserole and bake at 300 for 1.5 hours

Pro Tip: Write yourself a “make the casserole” note place and place it on the coffee maker before you go to bed. After the kids have woken you up on Christmas morning, and before you make your coffee (thank you note on the coffee maker), preheat the oven and get this baby into the oven. I can't tell you how many times we have failed to do that and had to nosh on the kid's Christmas candy until the casserole finished.